IT is a wonderful excuse for Stephen Thompson to bow out from the SPFL board after Dundee United were punished for naming two ineligible players, and fielding one of them, against Inverness Caley Thistle.

After being punished, Thompson expressed his 'shock and anger’ at the decision and announced he was quitting the SPFL board. He was no longer eligible to represent the Premiership after United were relegated, though.

When Celtic played against Legia Warsaw in the Champions League last season, the Poles made a mistake and were punished. It happens.

United got off lightly losing three points and getting a £30,000 fine. It was an excuse for Thompson to resign when he wasn’t going to be on the board anyway. He is not kidding anyone.

Going forward, I would have both Stewart Robertson of Rangers and Hearts’ Ann Budge on the board.

Ann has done a remarkable job at Tynecastle. Hearts are third in the league, they are going to build a new stand and they are on the right track on and off the park. She clearly knows business and knows football.

The same can be said for Stewart. You need to have the big clubs represented at SPFL board level and I think he and Ann would add so much to what is there already.

Stewart has experience at Motherwell and he is doing a fine job as Managing Director at Ibrox just now. He would be an asset at Hampden, no doubt.

He is the kind of man the SPFL need involved, and we need Rangers back at the top table. Both of them deserve to be involved in some capacity next season.